 hospital and other civilian sites in Fangak County, describing the attack as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.){kind=link}
CRN JUBA|Chuol Jany
Several Western embassies and the European Union have strongly condemned the recent bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital and other civilian sites in Fangak County, describing the attack as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the Delegation of the European Union, called for accountability and an immediate end to violence across South Sudan.
“We condemn the bombing of the MSF hospital and other civilian infrastructure in Fangak County,” the statement read. “We echo the African Union Commission Chairperson’s call for accountability. All parties share responsibility to end the violence and protect both civilians and aid workers.”
The international partners emphasized that the safety of humanitarian workers and the protection of civilian lives must be a top priority. They also urged South Sudanese leaders to act in the interest of their people and uphold commitments to peace.
“It is time for South Sudan’s leaders to put their people first,” the group added.
The condemnation follows a May 3rd attack in which two helicopter gunships bombed the MSF-run hospital in Old Fangak early in the morning, killing seven people and injuring at least 20 others.
MSF reported that its pharmacy, holding all essential medical supplies for the hospital and surrounding outreach programs, was destroyed.
The attack comes just weeks after another MSF facility in Ulang, Upper Nile State, was looted by armed groups, cutting off thousands of people from critical health services.
MSF said Old Fangak Hospital is the only major health facility in the county, serving a population of over 110,000 people who already face severe challenges in accessing healthcare.
International observers, including the United Nations and the African Union, have consistently urged South Sudan’s transitional government and armed groups to respect humanitarian spaces and adhere to the 2018 peace agreement. However, recent escalations in violence threaten to undermine those efforts.
The joint statement from international partners adds to mounting pressure on authorities to investigate the incident and ensure such attacks are not repeated.